Chapter 3

"Hi, young lady. Do you mind if I join you?"

Another man whose face is unknown to me approached the table, sitting at Cole's seat.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid I have to decline your request. I already have a partner, and I don't want him to see me being accompanied by another man."

"Then, maybe at least give me your name?"

"Lauren."

"Lauren?" He asked, wanting me to tell him my family name.

"Just Lauren."

"Ooh. Mysterious, huh?

I just gave him a forced smile. I could literally feel my knees shaking under the table. My fingers were clutching the fabric of the dress.

'Please leave, please leave.'

"I'll see you later, Lauren," the man took a strand of my hair, smelling it and kissing it afterwards. Giving me his smile, he left.

'See you, never, stranger.'

Where is Cole?

I felt totally out of place. Everyone had their own company, having someone to talk to, they have social circles, and here I am, alone at a table.

I couldn't help but fish out my phone. I needed a distraction.

Cole: Hey. I'm sorry I can't go back immediately. I'm stuck here with my father's talkative friends. Can you manage being by yourself?

A message from Cole?

I looked around the place, and there I saw him, getting surrounded with girls and old men. Poor Cole.

Lauren: I'm okay. I can manage. Are you doing okay, though? You look like you've pissed in your pants and you're too shy to tell the people, based from how uncomfortable you look like right now.

I couldn't help but grin as I sent him a reply.

I looked at his direction to see his reaction once he reads the message, but I guess he was way too busy answering the questions from the people surrounding him.

It seems like I have to be alone for the most of the night, I guess.

Not wanting more of the loneliness, I stood up, making my way towards the exit of the venue.

I could literally feel people looking at my direction once again, but since I know that I was totally gonna be uncomfortable, I rather avoid them and let the time pass with myself.

I'll be fine.

Right in front of the main exit of the Manor, was a big water fountain. There were also lights in there, and I think I would enjoy sitting there.

I made my way towards one of the wooden benches, sitting there and staring at the tantalizing lights in the area. It looked so magical.

There were no other people around here, and I guess that's because they have business with other people inside.

I want to go home, but knowing Mr. Pierce, he would always take any chance to ruin my day, just wanting to show me how much he despises me. I'm pretty sure that he'll be telling me to do things later, even though it won't be necessary.

Well, what can I do? I'm just a struggling woman who needs to work to live.

I took a deep breath as I took out my wired headset, playing some classic musical music, closing my eyes as I enjoyed the angelic rhythm and melody.

It would be better if I get in the car, but it would probably get too hot inside. I don't want to waste the fuel just to turn on the engine for me to be able to turn on the air conditioner.

I could sense some footsteps around, and right after I opened my eyes, I could feel myself getting lifted.

What the hell?!

"Man, put me down!"

The man was wearing the familiar suit I saw earlier.

"You! You're that man who sat next to me, right?!"

"Impressive, pretty girl. I didn't know you would give me too much attention to remember such details."

"What? Don't flatter yourself! PUT ME DOWN!" I screamed, punching his back since he was carrying me in his shoulder, like a sack of rice.

The man ran faster, pinching my thighs.

"What the fuck?! Are you deaf?!"

"Shut up, princess. I didn't have any fun with you yet."

"HELP! HE-"

I was unable to finish my scream as I felt a sting in my thighs. He had a sharp weapon with him.

"Scream. Go on. Let's see who's gonna wake up with a ruined leg. Who knows? Maybe this blade will go for your neck if you're not gonna be a good girl."

I can feel the tears immediately running down my cheeks.

How did it come to this? I was just asked to accompany my boss.

I shouldn't have come out- No. I shouldn't have come at the party in the first place.

My life truly is miserable. I've been unfortunate. My dad left us when I was four, I can't even remember his face. I had a hard time making friends when I was in school, I was taken advantage by my boss for the past two years, and now someone is threatening to kill me. Who knows? I might end up dead later.

All my hard works and just ending it all up with this...

I was defenseless. I no longer had the strength to fight. Even if I did, I was still bound to get the worst.

This guy was heading for a black limo.

As soon as the guy placed me in the car, he started touching me, in which I slapped his hand away, giving him glares.

"Are you sure you wanna resist? You seem to forget that I have a blade right here," he showed me his pocket knife, once again.

The cold blade of the weapon made contact with my face, making me flinch, my blood running cold.

Fuck.

What the hell? All I do is cry like a stupid idiot.

Why was I even born if I just had to live a life like this? What's the point?

The man intended to kiss my neck, but out of my reflexive consciousness, my hand grew its own mind, my palm making a slap sound as it made contact with his face.

He looked so angry, and in return, he slapped me.

"How dare you, you peasant! I heard you're just someone's secretary! And you have guts to slap a face of a billionaire's son?!"

I cried, the sting of his slap staying in my face, and I felt the part he slapped me getting hot. I knew it was gonna turn red, and will be leaving a mark.

"Please stop..." I cried, pleading.

"Shut up, bitch. You're asking for thi-"

The limo door bursts open, and a bunch of men in suit came to sight, getting inside the limo, getting me out of the car as they held back the man who attempted to rape me.

"Are you okay, Miss Parker?

I was too shock to even reply. My sobs were everything that came out of my mouth, and it was hard for me to even formulate a simple response.

I can literally hear the people's chatter as they surround the area, looking at what was happening.

"Lauren!" The voice was from Cole.

I was shivering. The night was already cold, and the incident made it worst for me.

Cole took off his suit as he wrapped it around me. Maybe it was very obvious that I was shaking.

I can hear Cole sigh as he gave orders to the men in black suit, the bodyguards of Mr. Pierce. After that, he went back to my side as he gave me his handkerchief.

"Here. Hush, now. He won't be able to come to you."

I hesitantly reached out for his hankie.

I wiped my tears, but like a running stream, these stupid, salty liquid that was the physical proof of my vulnerability just couldn't stop falling. I hated it.

Slowly, I could feel the warmth of the arms of Cole. He pulled me in, giving me a consoling embrace as he gently hushed me, his hands were on my suit-covered back. It was reassuring. That way, I won't be able to see those pitiful looks that the crowd was giving me. I hated being pitied. It just made me feel like I was indeed a helpless woman.

"It's going to be okay. Bad guys won't come at you, anymore."

In a way, his consoles and comforts somehow calmed me down.

"What the hell is happening here?"

The voice came from no other than my boss, Mr. Pierce.

"Lucas," Cole called for Mr. Pierce.

"What happened, Cole?"

"Mr. Valdez's son attempted to rape and physically abuse Miss Parker here."

"That's her fault," I could hear Mr. Pierce respond without any remorse.

I couldn't help but cry harder. Why the hell am I at fault here?

I wanted to argue, but I was out of energy. I was too tired and traumatized with what just happened.

"Are you hearing yourself?" Cole shot the question at Mr. Pierce. I could feel Cole's hands getting tensed.

"What? Am I not right? I mean, look at what she's wearing," he breathed, pointing his hands at me for a second.

"Well, look at what your partner is wearing," Cole barked back. "Look at what most of the women here are wearing. Aren't they supposed to be treated the same way Lauren was treated? They weren't. The problem here is not because of their clothing. Certain people just made themselves a monster."

It took us a moment to wait for Mr. Pierce's response, but nothing came out of his mouth.

"You're supposed to be smart. I guess I just thought of you way too highly. I overestimated your rationality. Hearing your words, it's embarrassing to call you my friend."

"Who the fuck are you to say that?"

"Someone who has known you since you were a kid. And you? Who the fuck are you to victim-blame your secretary? I am certain that you know it yourself that she's not the person you are blaming her for. So, what the fuck is your deal?"

Cole couldn't help but let go of me as he faced his best friend courageously.

"Stop acting like a hero, Cole."

"...stop the argues, please..." I pleaded, but my voice was too low and fragile for them to hear.

"Too bad. I will because a villain has appeared, you. How about you stop acting like a fucking douche bag?"

Before I even realized, Mr. Pierce's fist landed on Cole's face, and Cole did the same favor towards Mr. Pierce.

"...stop..." I cried harder, but no one seemed to hear me.

Everything fell silent around me, and the scene in front of me started to blur, and before I knew it, the darkness embraced me as I felt myself losing balance.

++++++++++

Light. Bright light. Everything seemed white.

My head was filled with clouds, and I just felt so empty.

Where the hell am I?

Slowly, my vision got a little bit clear, but of course, since I developed a fuzzy eye sight, things are not really clear clear, but just enough for me to know what are the things around me.

So far, I was alone. There were fruits on my bedside table, and there were also flowers.

My glasses.

Oh, right. It's with Alyssa.

Why is it with her in the first place? And what the hell am I doing here?

As I turned my neck a little bit much, I could feel stings.

'Why would I even get this?'

Wait.

Suddenly, all the memories that happened earlier came back to me.

The party, the dress that I wore that was totally not following the theme, the makeover, then... there's that man, and Cole was there. Mr. Pierce...

Mr. Pierce.

I noticed a small card right where my phone was. As I checked the time, it was 8 PM, Saturday.

Today's now 8 PM of a Saturday? Does that mean I slept for almost 24 hours, then?

Getting the card, I read it.

You have to get discharged by Monday. I need you to work.

-Mr. Pierce

"Fuck you and your company."